Published: Monday, February 4, 2013 at 10:14 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, February 4, 2013 at 10:14 a.m.

Hendersonville football coach B.J. Laughter said senior running back/linebacker Desean Jackson was one of the strongest players he’s ever coached.

“I’ve been here 22 years, and I have to say, overall he’s the strongest kid I’ve seen,” Laughter said.

Jackson worked hard in the weight room and was a wrecking ball both offensively and defensively for the Bearcats. All that hard work paid big dividends this week as Jackson committed to play football at Limestone College in Gaffney, S.C.

“Limestone is getting a steal, plain and simple. He’s one of the hardest workers I had, and to be honest, I can’t remember him ever missing a practice,” Laughter said. “He had a visit to Limestone over the weekend, and treated him well and showed him the love.”

The 5-8, 205-pound senior was a terror for defenses. Thanks to his strength (he squats 500 pounds, benches more than 350 pounds and deadlifts more than 500 pounds), he was close to impossible to bring down. He earned Western Highlands Conference Player of the Year honors after iling up 2,232 yards rushing and 30 touchdowns. At linebacker, he had 104 tackles, including five sacks, for the Bearcats, who finished the year at 12-2.

He was also a member of the Times-News All-Area Football Team and was a past recipient of the Times-News Player of the Week award.

He becomes the third Bearcat, along with D.J. Wilson (Presbyterian) and Matthew Parce (Brevard) to make college decisions this year.

All three will be signing with their colleges on National Signing Day on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Hendersonville High.

<p>Hendersonville football coach B.J. Laughter said senior running back/linebacker Desean Jackson was one of the strongest players he's ever coached.</p><p>“I've been here 22 years, and I have to say, overall he's the strongest kid I've seen,” Laughter said.</p><p>Jackson worked hard in the weight room and was a wrecking ball both offensively and defensively for the Bearcats. All that hard work paid big dividends this week as Jackson committed to play football at Limestone College in Gaffney, S.C.</p><p>“Limestone is getting a steal, plain and simple. He's one of the hardest workers I had, and to be honest, I can't remember him ever missing a practice,” Laughter said. “He had a visit to Limestone over the weekend, and treated him well and showed him the love.”</p><p>The 5-8, 205-pound senior was a terror for defenses. Thanks to his strength (he squats 500 pounds, benches more than 350 pounds and deadlifts more than 500 pounds), he was close to impossible to bring down. He earned Western Highlands Conference Player of the Year honors after iling up 2,232 yards rushing and 30 touchdowns. At linebacker, he had 104 tackles, including five sacks, for the Bearcats, who finished the year at 12-2.</p><p>He was also a member of the Times-News All-Area Football Team and was a past recipient of the Times-News Player of the Week award.</p><p>He becomes the third Bearcat, along with D.J. Wilson (Presbyterian) and Matthew Parce (Brevard) to make college decisions this year. </p><p>All three will be signing with their colleges on National Signing Day on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Hendersonville High.</p>